A lot of things can make or break your experience at an airport. Long lines, fussy security, mediocre food options, or even airport location all color our experiences when flying across the country.
For that reason alone, many like to keep their time in airports as short as possible because often, the experience sucks! And yet, there are some airports that prove to be the exception to the rule. Whether they’re a breeze to navigate, never have long lines, or have a quality of life feature that are essential to your travel, we all have at least one airport we are ride or die for.
MORE: How early should you arrive at an airport? A FTW debate.
Inspired yet again by a recent tweet, I once again asked my fellow coworkers here at For The Win to debate the best and worst airports across the United States. Let’s get into it!
What is the best airport in the United States?
Mary Clarke: Chicago Midway (MDW)
When I lived in Chicago, I never had a difficult time at Midway. While the walk to and from the L was a bit longer than I liked, getting through security was always a breeze and the food options were great and varied. It’s a busy airport for sure, but it ran like a well-oiled machine every time I passed through.
Robert Zeglinski: Nashville (BNA)
Some people like their airport experience with frills and extra amenities. I just want to get in and out without a hassle and without spending extra time cramped in a metal tube (of the aerial or ground variety). As a frequent flier in and out of Nashville, I have never experienced a significant delay. I have always been in and out without trouble.
In fact, one time I showed up 45 minutes before my flight (don’t judge me, Dad) and basically hopped on the plane within 20 minutes. It’s always a sublime travel day in and out of Central Tennessee.
Charles Curtis: Atlanta (ATL)
I haven’t actually been to Atlanta, but I’ve transferred a number of times through ATL, and it’s been a great experience every time.
Meghan L. Hall: Atlanta (ATL)
Everyone wants to hate on Atlanta for being “confusing”, but it is the most efficient airport I’ve ever experienced. I’ve lived in Atlanta for over 20 years and nothing has topped it yet. The more I fly, the more I’m thankful for all Hartsfield-Jackson has to offer. TSA may be rude as hell, but gosh dang it, they know how to get people through with minimal issues.
Andrew Joseph: Atlanta (ATL)
It’s enormous and always busy, sure, but once you’re familiar with it, there isn’t a better airport. Plenty of restaurants, bars, shopping and lounges — and it all operates efficiently.
Cory Woodroof: Nashville (BNA)
The best airport, bar none, is Nashville. The recent renovations have made getting through the airport a dream. Just don’t get hot chicken before your flight.
Christian D’Andrea: Madison (MSN)
They sell 12-packs to go, long term parking is $8 per day and the centerpiece of their newest terminal is a bar. A true Wisconsin experience.
Mike D. Sykes, II: Orlando (OIA)
There were no waits. PreCheck was lovely. I don’t really care about anything else.
What is the worst airport in the United States?
Mary: Kansas City (MCI)
My family and I had to sleep in the Kansas City airport Starbucks because we missed our connecting flight due to circumstances out of our control. That was the only time I stepped into the Kansas City airport and I never want to do it again.
Robert: Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
O’Hare is where dreams go to die. Where you fill yourself up with hope and expectations, only to have them ruthlessly crushed, making you feel like a pesky ant in the cosmic spectrum. It is ALWAYS congested. There are ALWAYS significant delays. It takes FOREVER just to walk through. It is an embodiment of everything systematically wrong with air travel in America and a crumbling (but somehow never broken) Chicago bureaucracy.
If I didn’t know any better, Satan himself designed it to torture us poor souls who only want to see our families over the holidays.
Charles: Newark (EWR)
It used to be LaGuardia until billions of dollars of renovation made it pretty good. Now, it’s the one you go to when you’re not going to LGA or JFK — the food options are meh, and that’s the most important thing these days, really.
Meghan: Las Vegas (LAS)
For all the glitz and glam that Las Vegas has, Harry Reid International Airport is old and dusty. It looks like nothing has been replaced since the ’80s, and the airport wouldn’t know effiecieny if it showed up at its door. It is a truly overrated experience. Zero-out-of-ten. Half a star. Would not recommend.
Andrew: Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
It’s the only airport I make sure to avoid. Flights are constantly delayed, the food options are terrible and transferring terminals is a nightmare.
Cory: New York (JFK)
Have you ever tried making a connecting flight here? It’s the stuff of nightmares.
Christian: Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
A 70 percent chance your flight will be delayed and, if your destination is close enough, a 30 percent chance they’ll just tell you to take the bus instead and then email the receipt to your airline. [Expletive] this stupid airport.
Sykes: Denver (DEN)
I’ve never actually been here, but they’ve got a demon horse out front. This is definitely where the Lizard League lives.
